Why...the purpose for the festival is simple...it's for the farmers to sell their wares. The fruits and vegetables here are the largest and tastiest in the world,and merchants pay good coin for them! It's also the one time a year for the farmers to do their shopping, without having to leave the village.
I make a fortune during festival... it makes up for the rest of the year.
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Further description of The Giant's Mug:
One or the larger buildings in the village, it's about 15 feet wide, and about 20 feet to the bar. The front door is centered, with a small table to either side, under the windows. There's a long bench to the right, and one decent sized table to the left...then chairs around the fireplace. On the bar is three kegs...and a huge ceramic mug...big enough to hold a couple of gallons. A door behind the bar, on the right side, leads into the back.
The place is pretty full...as are the tables on the patio...and the benches to the side are seeing traffic, too. The weather is beautiful.
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ah its beginning to make more sense now, i asked for directions to the closet town a few days ago and a traveler sent me here. He seemed to recall it being a sleepy town but with this festival going on it is anything but sleepy Doran attempts to eat his meal in a civilized manner but his voracious hunger gets the better of him and he paws at the meat in a disturbing fashion. After finishing his food, He orders another harvest ale grabs his things and heads over to an empty seat by the fire. untying his shoes allowing his weary feet to breath he gazes into the crackling fire feeling mildly content.
A wiry looking man in slightly more elaborate livery walks in...
Your festival stout sellin' well this year, Manton? I hope it's not as strong as last year's.
Antonio bows with a flourish.
"I beg your pardon good dwarf, but I would like to see if you have a... Main-Gauche? I think it is called. It is an off hand dagger, thick with a heavy guard to defend with? Something I can use with my trusty blade here." He slaps the swept hilt on his duelling sword.
Then he notices the katana and his eyes pop. He had never even heard of anything like it.
"What in the Name of Cayden is that?"
Aye, I've got stout daggers wit' good parryin ' guards. All masterwork, so they ain't cheap.
He pulls out a couple of large daggers...one more of a cinqueneda, very broad...the other closer to a true main-gauche, longer and narrower...both have the traditional dwarven heavy feel.
That? 'Tis a curious blade. I bought it from a wandrin ' merchant, just today...it ain't dwarf work, but I figgered my fadder might wanna see it. There's another fella with one like it...done wandered up to tha Giant's Mug.
This? My friend, is called a katana. It is a popular weapon in my homeland. It is similar to what your country calls a bastard sword, except the curve gives it a keener edge. I presume you fight as a two weapon duelist? That is an honorable way, fellow warrior.
Manton looks up, grinning.
Stronger! Good to see you, Sheriff. Want one?
Nope, just the usual.
The sheriff wanders over to the far side of the fireplace and slides into a chair...he is served promptly.
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Doran looking down into his mug swishes about 3 copper worth of harvest ale and nods to the sheriff as he sits down near him at the fire. I surely don't envy being you with this fiasco outside. I imagine this is a great week for merchants but a horrible week for the town guard. Doran raises the mug to his mouth and with a large gulp swallows the remainder of ale, he raises his hand and motions for another.
The sheriff considers the burly half-orc for a moment, swallows some ale, then lights his pipe.
Most folk don't trust your type much...but you show some insight.
Tendrils of fragrant smoke reach out toward the ceiling, and he watches them.
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aye this is true, but luckily the opinion of most matters not to me. While i have you here sir, would you know of anyone in the area that would be looking to hire a man of....how'd you word it...my type? Doran says the last part loud enough for Manton to here if he's in the room.
I did a good share of work as a caravan guard a while back, but the employer retired and so did the job. Now i've been travelling from town to town looking for steady work but nothing seems to really pan out.
Antonio grins at the compliment and bows to Reiko.
"Yes! Well maybe. I have not really decided yet. My father never really trained me for two weapon fighting, but my favorite swashbuckler stories had heroes who could do that, so..."
He shrugs in a 'I don't know' gesture.
"What of your sword? Can you use it as a bastard sword? With respect, with only one edge and that curve it looks a little... unwieldy."
Ah, well, if you're looking for work as a caravan guard, you've come to the right place at the right time. There must be a hundred caravans out there...
And all will be flush with coin when they return from whence they come, in need of a few watchful eyes. Cauis comments as he makes room at the bar for others after cleaning his plate and mug. How's it going Sheriff Perton? Seems like it's pretty quiet still, although I'd have a man keep an eye on the knivers. Some people can be sore losers in a game like that. Remember Tomas' boy last year? Had to box his ears in a bit before your men dragged me off.
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With training, good Antonio, this can be the most lethal weapon you've ever seen. I have been trained to fight with it both one and two handed, and I blend it with my arcane power pretty well, though nowhere as good as my sensei.
He overhears the sheriff and the half Orc talking and he speaks again.
I wonder, with so many people making money, if there are any who need a guard for their travels. I plan on staying for a few days, but I have a feeling what I'm seeking cannot be found here. I'll have to keep moving.
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Well that is some great news sheriff great news indeed. posturing in his seat to better exhibit his great size he continues Do either of you know of the more affluent street vendors that would have more to gain from my services? If not I can do the ground work tomorrow but a sense of direction is always nice.
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A young man scurries in, and up to Manton... I'm to arrange for dinner...and drinks...oh, and appetizers... for lord merchant Hortense... and party of six...in his tent, sir, if you please, sir.
The young man then proceeds to dump a handful of coins in Manton's hand.
Manton simply smiles, and repeats the name...Hortense... before sending the young man off.
Looking back at the big half-orc again...That'll be a name to remember... Hortense... one of the richest merchants to ever set foot in the valley.
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aye i shall indeed....thank you sir Doran having successfully had his fill of both food and ale releases a great yawn, stretching for a couple moments before attempting to take a nap by the fire. He laced his leg through his backpack strap to hopefully deter the would be thief from grabbing his belongings as he slept but that is very little concern to him as he begins to dose off...
Hortense. Perhaps he has some work that will get me enough money to make it to the next town. Traveling isn't cheap, I have found.
Reiko takes his meal to a chair by the table, dropping his pack on the floor and finally relaxing. He starts eating, voracious and with excellent manners, all at once.
After admiring the dwarven bladesmiths' wares, Antonio continues wandering through the festival until he gets hungry enough to go to the Giant's Mug for something to eat.
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The early morning is sleepy... Manton and a young girl you saw the night before start breakfast... after a short while, a lady comes in with a basket of produce and starts cutting them up and putting them in a pot with a large chunk of wild pork.
After a short while, a boy delivers freshly baked bread, and people start straggling in
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Manton greets everyone heartily... the sheriff comes in with his dozen deputies and gives them a basic heads-up during breakfast... notable is that he mentions keeping a close eye on Mr Hortense's tents and wagons. Breakfast is plates of fruits, fresh bread, and sausages...for only 5 copper...or without sausage for 3.
Reiko purchases a heaping plate of fruits and sausage and digs in.
So, what is the deal with Mr. Hortense... why are you keeping an eye on his tent, sheriff? Something I should know about, or maybe something I can help with?
The sheriff looks over for a moment and chews on a sausage.
Hortense does more business than any other merchant here. Over triple what most do. He's got money in that tent...and that makes him the biggest target out there.
Hmmmm..... Perhaps he will need a bodyguard, then. Do you think he would hire on someone not from this area?
Cauis watches Reiko perform his Katas, stretching his muscles and cracking his knuckles and then leaning up against a post until breakfast is ready. Once breakfast is readied, he returns to get a plateful.
He watches the watchmen (:P) gather and eat, sitting at the bar out of their way as they discuss their business. His ears perk up a bit at the discussion between the Sheriff and Reiko, quirking an eyebrow and feeling the lightness of his own coin purse.
Going to be a great festival, all right. Just look at this plate. he says to the serving boy with a smile. He leans against the bar, watching the morning activity with a smile.
Antonio buys a room for the night (even if it's only a hammock in the common room); then next morning wolfs down a breakfast of fruit, fresh bread and sausage. He hears the loose talk of 'Hortense' and 'Bodyguarding', but pays it no mind. He tears out of there in a hurry to claim his place in the festival grounds, waiving at Reiko on the way by.
He buys a set of wooden dowls and three torches. Then he does his best at a juggling act, juggling first rocks, then the dowls, then working his way into daggers, then torches.
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Doran awakes to the morning ruckus both confused and alarmed. he grasps his greataxe and thrusts upward out of his chair knocking it several feet away from him. Once he realizes that he isn't in the wilds and the sounds weren't threatening he becomes extremely apologetic to manton and all those near to him for making such a startling spectacle. Doran being both widely awake and adequately ashamed heads outside forgetting his backpack inside. Walking past the sheriff as he and his deputy's enter the giants mug reminds him that he has business to attend too.
Oi....I diffidently had way to much ale last night, what was that name the sheriff mentioned Horatio...Hor...Hor..tensio...Hortense...Ah yes it was Hortense Walking past the labyrinth of merchant booths and tents he eventually asks one of the food vendors which stands was Hortense', as he buys a couple loaves of fresh bread and a mug of warm cider. dipping in bread into the cider he slowly makes his way to the area he is directed and attempts gain access to the merchant to have a few words about his potential employment.
so the roll is prepared when ready
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Everyone enjoys their morning, productive or not...
Antonio finds himself richer by 13 copper... and one silver! Hmmm...
Nobody actually gets a chance to see Mr Hortense... though he is seen here and there...and Doran gets told that he'll be sent for as soon as the merchant has the time...the promise is made...it will be soon.
Manton comes out for a short while, to shop and purchase a new knife (which he pays a small fortune for!) and entice people by talking about the pork roast and vegetables... lunch will be wonderful, he promises... and the lady bard has agreed to play for guests.
Reiko wanders around the festival, sampling things and learning more about the area. He keeps trying to find Mr. Hortense, to no avail. Eventually, he prepares to go back to the inn for lunch, and has decided on buying a couple of the fine Dwarven daggers from that one merchant afterward.
Aya arises early and after a quick breakfast at home and completing her daily chores at the family farm she scribes an enlarge person scroll. She then goes to the market place to see all the new people and merchandise for sale. Around noon she stops by the Giant's Mug for lunch.
Liandoli hops down from the tree she was in and steels herself for the entrance into town. Not the most pleasant duty. She makes her entrance, glad that she got here before the sun rose so she could avoid milling through people. She finds herself at the Giant's Mug, where she had spotted the sheriff earlier.
Liandoli waits outside patiently as the sun rises, attempting to ignore the steadily increasing amount of activity around her. Once the sounds of the inn begin to tell of the waking of its patrons she inhales deeply, then pushes herself through the door.
"Sheriff Perton." The half-elf enters, sticking out quite a bit from the other beings present. She has a green tinge to her skin and hair, with eyes of sparkling emerald and the scent of green leaves and flowers. She gives a twist or her wrist and a short bow. "I am Liandoli, if you do not remember me. I am here to observe and to make sure your celebration goes as smoothly as it did last year. The elders also wish to offer a score of their finest apple tree seeds in hopes that you shall continue to use the valley for this harvest."
From his usual station by the fire, the sheriff looks up...graces you with a tight smile, and responds...Good. Early is better than late...still a couple days 'till the ceremony.
Reiko looks up with undisguised interest.
A ceremony? Can you please tell me about it?
Blessing the soil...as if it needed blessing. It keeps everybody happy.
The sheriff shrugs.
Late during lunch, a farmer walks in...Sheriff Perton? Sheriff? There's something strange just outstanding of my fields... Sheriff?
Liandoli stands quietly, seeing how the sheriff intends to handle this problem.
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Doran being annoyed that he is unable to receive an audience with Mr. Hortense arrives some time later after remembering that he left his pack in the bar that morning, He waits to briefly speak to Manton to again apologize for making the scene that morning. I don't rightly know what to say sir, i have dreams that haunt me and at times when i awake it takes a moment to realize where I am. if I haven't overstayed my welcome i would like to order another ale and two helping of whatever is being prepared for lunch. Doran is present in the bar when the frantic farmer enters, he waits for the sheriff speaks and if he leaves the half orc will follow with his pack on his back and intrigue in his eye.
Antonio went back to the Giant's Mug for lunch after a fun, but a little uneven, run as a juggler. He hoped that lady would be alright after that slip, but he thought maybe he should wait until he got more experience before trying it blindfolded again.
He grabbed two plates with his earnings this time and sat down to enjoy his midday meal.
Cauis accompanies Aya to lunch after a morning of chopping and stacking wood. The earthy scent of sweat mixed with oak becomes apparent to any he passes too closely. He is about to order when the farmer bursts in with his dilemma.
What do you mean, something strange, old timer? Take a breath and explain what you saw to the good Sheriff.
Aya overhears Free Farmer Gotson's request to the sheriff and listens for the sheriff's response.
The sheriff emerges from the back room with Manton... What's this, you say? What strange thing?